Chlorophytum, plant care and growing guide

Chlorophytum or “Spider plant” is a genus of perennial, flowering plants that belong to the subfamily Agavoideae. It includes about 200 species, which are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia. As a houseplant, it has a longevity of over 10 years, and at maturity, it can reach heights of about 50-60 cm. It has a compact rosette of thin leaves, and the roots are fleshy. The flowers are small, white, and grow on long stolons.

Species and varieties

There are several species of Chlorophytum with decorative value, such as C. comosum, C. holstii, C. inornatum, C. laxum, C. tuberosum. One of the most common species is Chlorophytum comosum, which is used as an indoor decorative plant. This species is distinguished through its seedlings that grow at the top of the inflorescence. They are able to form adventitious roots when they come in contact with the soil. It has two varieties with variegated leaves, and are appreciated for their decorative value:

  • Variegatum – the leaves are dark green with white edges and the stolons are green.
  • Vittatum – it has leaves that are white towards the center, while the edges are green, and the stolons are white.

Care

Light. Chlorophytum has low light requirements, resisting even in areas with less natural light, but in order to develop a dense bush, it is recommended to be placed in a bright place.

Temperature. It grows optimally in a temperature range between 18 and 30° C, yet it also tolerates lower temperatures, but not lower than 7° C.

Humidity. It is a plant that can withstand dry air, but for proper development, it is recommended to spray the leaves with warm water once a week.

Substrate. It has no specific requirements regarding the substrate, but it is indicated to have a good drainage capacity.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

Watering. In summer, during the vegetative growth period, it needs moderate water, so it is recommended to water the plant when the substrate is dry on the surface. In winter it should be watered less often, but the temperature in the room must also be taken into account. It is very important that the plant is not watered excessively, as the roots may rot.

Fertilization. During the active growing period (May-September) it is indicated to administer a liquid fertilizer, especially one for green plants.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

Repotting. Because it is a fast-growing and dense plant, it needs to be transplanted every year, in spring, in a large enough pot.

Propagation

Chlorophytum is a plant that can be easily propagated through bush division or by planting seedlings that grow on the top of the stolons. They can be removed from the mother plant after they have at least 5 leaves and after they exceed 5 cm. After planting, they should be kept at an optimum temperature of 20° C.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

Diseases and pests. Being native to the tropics, in countries with a temperate climate, Chlorophytum plants are very rarely affected by fungal diseases. The most common pests that can occur are mites.

In addition:
  • it grows and develops well in a place away from cold air drafts.
  • to highlight the decorative value of Chlorophytum plants, they can be placed in hanging planters.
  • to clean the plant from dust, it should be washed with a shower from time to time.
  • it is not recommended to use products that give shine to the leaves.
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